God’s Word provides a solid foundation for a calm and happy home.
1 Peter 1:22
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Colossians 3:23
Psalm 76:11
Ephesians 4:32
Proverbs 12:22
Matthew 6:14
Tag Archives: Psalms
Always Forgiven!
WE CANNOT OUT-SIN HIS FORGIVENESS!!!!
For Heaven’s sake don’t even think that I would ever suggest even trying. One of the ways we get ever closer to Jesus likeness is our whole-hearted desire not to sin. But we are human and we are sinful and that’s something we simply can’t ignore!
In Psalm 103:2-3 David tells us that we are not to forget His benefits and one of these is the forgiveness of sin. For me, David’s words speak mountains of truth about forgiveness. His story helps us understand that even the one (David) who had a Heart like His could and would sin! David depended on God’s forgiveness, asked for it and it was given. Fully!
God is the God of the second, third, forth….chance. Take a look at Jonah 1:1-3. God told him to go to Ninevah and preach against its wickedness. Jonah tried to run away and had the adventure and epiphiny of his life. (Yes, my God is the Only One who could keep a man alive in the ‘belly of a whale’!) Jonah 3:1 says the LORD spoke to him a second time and said go to Ninevah and proclaim the wickedness of the Ninevites. Jonah obeyed! God will forgive our disobedience but does expect to eventually obey.
Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 6:14-15 that we must forgive others when they sin against us. If we don’t the consequence is to big to imagine…the Father will not forgive us. We are to be the picture of God to those around us. If there is no way to out-sin God’s forgiveness then there is no sin of another that we can’t forgive.
Mighty, Awesome, Forgiving LORD! Forgive my sins, the ones I know and the ones I don’t. Give me Your super-natural ability to forgive those who have and will sin against me in some way. Nurture in me a heart of forgiveness! Make it so!!!
He Is Head Over Heals In Love With Us
I’ve recently been giving a lot of thought to God’s love for us. It must be something He wants me to do because I’ve seen books, reading articles, and listening to other Christians expound on the subject. Why do I (we) think He can’t possibly mean me (us), even though He assures me (us) repeatedly in His Word.
In Genesis 1:27 we are told that we are created in His image. Men and women look like God. Think about it. Don’t we all sometimes want to 
look like someone else? Well, how about God. Rather than comparing ourselves to others how about comparing ourselves to the One who loved us so much He gave His Son for us.
look like someone else? Well, how about God. Rather than comparing ourselves to others how about comparing ourselves to the One who loved us so much He gave His Son for us.In Psalms 139:14 the writer is giving praise because he is aware of God’s love through being ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’. He is in awe of the One who cares more about our well-being than anything else.God protects and sustains us from the time we are born until we have many gray hairs. It’s truly something He wants to do. Don’t we want to protect and sustain those we love? Of course we do. It’s God’s love for us showing through us. (Isaiah 46:4)
Siescape-fetus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Let’s look at the book of Hosea. The cycle is repeated over and over. Hosea marries Gomer, they have a child, she cheats on him and has two more, he continues to forgive her and take her back. So like God’s love for us; we sin, He saves us, we sin, He forgives, and the cycle goes on and on and on…
The Painting entitled “Jesus Blessing the Children” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
John 1:12 says when we receive Him, believe in Him, and trust Him because of His name He makes us His children. Don’t we make the choice from the moment of conception to love our children even when they are sometimes unlovable? God does too.We are God’s chosen and dearly loved. Like all who love others He has expectations for us. We are to show compassion, kindness, and forgiveness (see Colossians 3:12-14 for the list). Over all we are to wear a cloak of love. A Japanese translation says it like this, “Love binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
He wants to love us. Let Him!
Ah, Lord God, my King, my Shelter, my One and Only I do not deserve to be loved by You, yet You do! You see my insides and my ‘out-sides’, You know my strongholds, my sins, my every part, yet You still love me. Oh, Lord, help me to be loving to others, help me to love like You do, with compassion, kindness, and without thought to what it will ‘cost’ me. What a Mighty God You are. Make it so!
Psalm 86
Psalm 86 is sub-titled ‘A Prayer of David’ in my Bible. Through prayer and focusing on God’s love David could put those who were tormenting him in the right perspective. Praying this psalm in my own words was very enlightening. Enjoy!
Oh, LORD, bend your ear down to earth so I can speak my needs directly into it.I trust you to keep me safe because You are my God.I send prayers to You 24/7. Hear and grant them.Help me find gladness in serving You.Many call upon You and depend on Your goodness, forgiveness and constant love.Hear my prayer and plea for mercy.When I am in trouble I come to You for the answer.Your works stand out, You are unique.Your creation worships You.You are the One and Only.Instruct me in Your ways. I am in awe of You.Thank You for being my God. I give You all the glory.Your great love sustains me. You are my Deliverer.Those who do not follow You have risen against me.Show Your mercy and grace, Your ‘always there’ love and faithfulness.
Give me strength and keep me safe.
Let those who hate You be shamed because You are my Helper and Comforter.
Heavenly Father, make it so!
What’s Missing
“Food can fill our stomachs but never our souls.
Posessions can fill our houses but never our hearts.
Sex can fill our nights but never our hunger for love.
Children can fill our days but never our identities.
Jesus wants us to know only He can fill us and truly satisfy us.”
~ Lysa TerKeurst
While at a baseball game I watch the game and talk to the people around. At the grocery store or mall I shop. During lunch with a friend I interact with her. At worship I focus on my Lord. At the movies I watch the show. At work I focus on my job. It seems that everyone around me has their cell phone or iPad with them constantly and their focus is on that and not on the present.
What are they all looking for? Is there something missing? Is there such loneliness in the lives of those around us that there must be constant contact with someone or something?
I use my cel phone only when traveling long distances for safety issues. (I have Sync so I don’t have to take my hands of the steering wheel.) I do not text unless I am texted and often don’t check my messages until I’m annoyed by the beep. I use my lap top only for business and writing. If I’m feeling lonely my go to person is God.
In this lonely, rushing world the one verse that stands out to me is Psalm 46:10
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
Heavenly Father, Creator of all, Master of the Universe, You alone are worthy of my total attention. In the hustle, bustle, and rush of this world you are my Quite Place. You create the stillness that can be felt in the noise of life. Grant me the privilege of knowing the ‘Peace that passes all understanding in Christ Jesus.’ Make it so
A Satisfied Spirit 
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